Dear Editor: Re: Chief Skugaid should remain on Fraser, Letters to the editor, July 17.
I agree 100 per cent with the writer and, in fact, have suggested that a society be formed to support the retention of such historical working crafts on the river (like the Samson).
However, on my recent visit to the waterfront, I could not help but notice that this proud piece of history appeared to be more of a "garbage scow" or a "marine hoarder's" nightmare and more a blight to the waterfront than an attraction. This must be cleaned up, sooner than later.
What can we do as concerned citizens to create a historical museum of working riverboats.
Our council seems more interested in hanging $30,000 lights on Columbia Street
and turning the waterfront into a grassy park with little to offer but a walk, sit and look at the water. That $50-million (and more to come) park that boasts (as depicted in many promo pictures) eight to a dozen visitors is hardly good value.
Our waterfront is owned by the citizens of this city, and it should not be designed by politicians thinking they know best. We need to develop the waterfront to appeal to tourists, to have the Fraser River Discovery Centre mean more than promotion of a politician swimming with the salmon. There is more to a working river.
Yes, city council, a small ferry service to Port Royal, Queensborough Landing and the Starlight Casino is a far better idea than a $10 million pedestrian bridge. We need a council capable of thinking outside the box to share in the attraction and fame Steveston and North Vancouver's Waterfront Park have enjoyed.
Bring the working boats to New Westminster. Build mooring and a water level boat dock where tourists can access the boats. The balance of wasteland at Pier Park would be an ideal location for such a project. The real win would be the access through Pier Park, which would make the park viable, and we could actually justify a concession with or without the Fair Living Wage.
John Ashdown, New Westminster
